Black Hills Tour: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Custer Park

Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and a drive through Needles Highway in one day

A full-day guided tour from Custer through the Black Hills hits Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial under construction, and Custer State Park, where bison and other wildlife roam. The tour keeps groups to 12 or fewer, includes all entrance fees and pickup from your accommodation, and stops at the historic Custer State Game Lodge for lunch (meal separate). Eight to ten hours on the road and at each site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial1h 15m · entry included
2. 13th Arrondissement4h · entry included

Explore Black Hills landmarks and wildlife

• Visit Mount Rushmore
• See wildlife at Custer State Park
• Lunch at Game Lodge (not included)
• Drive Needles Highway and visit Sylvan Lake
• Visit Crazy Horse Memorial

The experience

Mount Rushmore anchors the morning, then the tour moves into Custer State Park to see buffalo, deer, and other wildlife along Sylvan Lake and the Needles Highway: a narrow road carved through granite spires with views that open up as you drive. The Crazy Horse Memorial, still under active carving, comes next. The scale of the work-in-progress sculpture becomes clear only when you stand in front of it. Lunch happens at the Game Lodge, where you can order from the menu or choose the buffet.

A live guide leads the whole route and handles the logistics: pickup from your hotel or accommodation in the area, entry to all three major sites, and the drive itself. Small groups mean you're not herded through with fifty others, and the guide can answer questions about the Black Hills' history and the ongoing work at Crazy Horse as you go.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park.
• pickup and drop-off from local accommodations.
• a live English-speaking guide for the full day.
• and stops at Sylvan Lake and the Needles Highway scenic drive.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 48 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendly

Operated by Dakota Taxi, Inc.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Needles Highway in one day with a guide who explains the history and geology as you move between sites.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Crazy Horse Memorial, and why is it still under construction?

Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain sculpture carved into the Black Hills, honoring the Lakota leader. It remains a work in progress. The face was completed in 1998, but the full figure will take decades more to finish, which is why you see active carving work when you visit.

Do I need to bring lunch, or is food available at the Game Lodge?

The Custer State Game Lodge has a buffet and an à la carte menu where you can order and pay separately. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you choose what and where to eat during the stop.

How much time do I spend actually walking around at each site?

Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse each get viewing time at their respective visitor areas. Custer State Park includes a drive through the wildlife loop and time at Sylvan Lake. The guide structures the day so you see each place without long waits, though exact timing depends on the group's pace and interests.

Will I see bison and other animals in Custer State Park?

Custer State Park is home to buffalo, deer, and other wildlife. You'll drive through areas where these animals roam, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day. The park is large and they move freely.

What's included in the tour price, and what do I pay extra for?

Admission to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park, plus pickup and drop-off from your accommodation, are all included. You pay separately for lunch at the Game Lodge and any souvenirs or extras at the sites.